TICKTUM SIGNS WITH RED BULL JUNIOR TEAM
Teenager added to programme, commits to Formula Renault with Arden
British teenager Dan Ticktum has joined the Red Bull junior team and will compete in the Formula Renault Eurocup with Arden in 2017.
The 17-year-old made a return to racing last year in European F3 at Hockenheim after serving a 12-month ban following an incident at Silverstone during an MSA Formula race in 2015. He also competed in the BRDC British F3 Autumn Trophy and Macau Grand Prix events with Double R Racing.
Ticktum, who was previously affiliated to Red Bull through its Athletes scheme, will now race in the Eurocup with Arden as the team makes its debut in the series.
“Some people will know the mistakes I’ve made,” said Ticktum. “I have changed my attitude massively and I cannot wait to prove that to everyone. [I want] to win the European Formula Renault two-litre championship.”
Ticktum also tested with the Tech 1 Racing and R-ace GP outfits at the end of last season before joining Arden.
“He did some work with us at the end of last year,” said Arden general manager Julian Rouse. “We’ve known him for a few years and have been following his progress. He’s really talented and it’s good to see him back racing this year.
“The objective will be to get as close to winning the championship as we possibly can. It’s an exciting year for him and he’s really motivated.”
Ironically, it was a collision with an Arden car that led to Ticktum’s racing ban, as he crashed into Ricky Collard in the MSA Formula race while behind the safety car.
Rouse added that Arden is close to finalising its three-car Eurocup line-up.
Ticktum will be joined in the series by two other Red Bull juniors with Richard Verschoor and Neil Verhagen both competing with the returning MP Motorsport squad.
Luis Leeds, the Australian who was third in British F4 last year and will race in the Eurocup with Josef Kaufmann Racing, will no longer be part of the Red Bull programme.